Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ricky Pearsall vs Tee HigginsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.1 PPG to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tee Higgins is the better fantasy play this season.

Tee Higgins is the better play on a neutral week. 12.1 PPG with 846 yards gives a reliable baseline. Ricky Pearsall at 7.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Tee Higgins higher, but do not fade Ricky Pearsall entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRSan Francisco 49ers#52

Ricky Pearsall

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Targets

Bye

Week 8

WRCincinnati Bengals#13PPG LEADER

Tee Higgins

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

846

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Ricky Pearsall

Tee Higgins

Head to Head

7.8 PPG12.1 PPG

9 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Ricky Pearsall: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #52 at the position). Tee Higgins: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) WR (ranked #13 at the position). Among the top 50 wide receivers this season, Ricky Pearsall is producing at 35% of elite pace and Tee Higgins at 55%. That ranking gap means Tee Higgins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Ricky Pearsall vs Tee Higgins: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Ricky Pearsall and Tee Higgins for your lineup, you are not alone. Ricky Pearsall finished the 2025 season at 7.8 PPG for the San Francisco 49ers (9 games), and Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 for the Cincinnati Bengals (15 games).

That 4.3-point weekly advantage for Tee Higgins is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Target volume is the story here. Tee Higgins saw 98 targets in 2025, while Ricky Pearsall drew 53. That workload gap usually translates into a higher weekly floor for Tee Higgins, even in weeks where Ricky Pearsall posts the bigger ceiling game. Consistency-minded managers lean toward target share; boom-bust managers chase the upside.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Ricky Pearsall sits Week 8 while Tee Higgins is off Week 6. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Tee Higgins is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Ricky Pearsall is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Ricky Pearsall (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset. Tee Higgins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Tee Higgins outscored Ricky Pearsall by a projected 73 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tee Higgins played 15 games in 2025 compared to Ricky Pearsall's 9. That durability gap means Tee Higgins contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Tee Higgins saw 98 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Ricky Pearsall vs Tee Higgins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ricky Pearsall	Tee Higgins
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.8	12.1
Games Played	9	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	182
Receptions	36	59
Rec/Game	4.0	3.9
Receiving Yards	528	846
Rec Yds/Game	58.7	56.4
Receiving TDs	0	11
Targets	53	98
Target Share/Game	5.9	6.5
Age	25	27
Experience	1 yrs	5 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Tee Higgins at 12.1 PPG, 4.3 points per game above Ricky Pearsall's 7.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Ricky Pearsall or Tee Higgins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tee Higgins has the edge at 12.1 PPG compared to Ricky Pearsall's 7.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Ricky Pearsall and Tee Higgins average in 2025?▾

Ricky Pearsall averaged 7.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Tee Higgins averaged 12.1 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.3 points per game.

When are Ricky Pearsall and Tee Higgins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ricky Pearsall (SF) has a bye in Week 8, and Tee Higgins (CIN) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ricky Pearsall or Tee Higgins a better fantasy wide receiver in 2026?▾

Tee Higgins outscored Ricky Pearsall by 4.3 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.